Portable hammock



May 2, 1944. c. F. BENJAMIN PORTABLE HAMMOGK Filed Sept. 18, 1942 Patented May 2, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE HAMMOCK Clarence F. Benjamin, Devon, Conn. Application September 18, 1942, Serial No. 458,826

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a portable hammock and has for an object to provide an improved 'and simplified construction for a flexible hammock which will be very comfortable to lie on and is readily portable so that it can be carried to different positions and will not require mounting hooks or the like.

It is also an object to provide a construction for a flexible hammock which can be readily folded to a compact and relatively short condition so that it may be carried in a car to the beach or out into the country and be quickly and easily set up in any desired location, and be as readily shifted to the most desirable position as conditions change, such for example as shifting of the shade when used under a tree or the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in view I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific de-.

tails of construction and arrangement shown but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device in the position of use, with a portion of the flexible hammock member broken away to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing it in the folded position;

' Fig. 4 is a top plan view on a somewhat larger scale of a portion of one end of the device showing how an adjustable shade is mounted;

Fig. 5 is a side view looking toward the bottom of Fig. 4, but with the side member of the main frame removed;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the other end of the device showing an adjustable mounting for one end of the flexible hammock member, and with a portion of the side member broken away to more clearly show the construction; and

Fig. 7 is a view looking toward the bottom of Fig. 6, but with the end member in section.

This improved construction comprises two frames one of which includes the laterally spaced side members l0 and the other including similar spaced side members II. The side members l0 are connected at their outer ends by the transverse member l2 and the side members II are connected at their outer ends by the transverse member lit. The inner ends of each pair of side members l0 and II are pivotally connected at H,

and although not necessary it is preferred that this pivotal connection be a transverse rod extending between the two pairs of side members at the sides of the structure to givelateral strength and rigidity. An upwardly and inwardly inclined supporting leg I5 is pivoted intermediate its length at It to each side member l0 and H at a point spaced outwardly of the pivotal connection I4 between the side members. Thus there are a pair of these legs ii at each side of the frame structure, and the legs of each pair are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as shown at H.

Extending between and supported by the end members l2 and I3 is a flexible hammock member It. This may be of different materials, but is preferably such for example as a woven canvas. It may be of various shapes, preferably somewhat wider at the center, as indicated at l9, so that when a person is lying on this flexible hammock, as it is natural for it to sag in the center under the weight of this person, the opposite side edges will be drawn somewhat together, and by making it wider at this portion it will make it more comfortable and reduce the liability of a person rolling out. It is preferred that the cross member at one end, as for example the member H, be a roller and be mounted for turning movement in the side members H of the frame, so that it may be adjusted to vary the length or tension of the flexible hammock member l8. Various means may be employed for doing this, but that shown makes a very simple and easily operated one which can be depended upon to retain the hammock in adjusted position. Thus the ends of the roller may be flattened, as indicated at 20, to seat in the narrow slot portion 2| of a keyhole shaped opening 22 through the side member l3, the round portion 23 of this opening being of a diameter to permit turning of the flattened end portion of the roller therein. Thus by shifting the roller to carry the flattened end portion thereof into the circular portion of these openings it may be turned to wind or unwind the flexible hammock member and thus adjust the free length and therefore the sag of this member. After it is adjusted as desired, the flattened portions may be slid into the flat portions 2! of the openings by which it will be held against turning. The flat portion 2| of the opening is inwardly of the circular portion 23 so that strain on the hammock draws and retains the roller in the flat portion and there is therefore no danger of it shifting out and releasing the hammock while in use. The roller may be retained in this portion of the keyhole shaped opening while the device is being carried when collapsed, by a transverse member such as a cotterpin 24 or a screw or the like. The flat portion 20 is spaced backwardly a short distance from the end of the roller so as to provide a shoulder 20a to prevent the side member ll sliding off the roller.

It will be seen this permits the side members I. and II to assume outwardly and upwardly inclined positions, and the downward movement of their outer ends will be limited by the flexible hammock member l8 if there is no other limiting means. It is, however, preferred to limit their downward movement by stop means cooperating between the leg members l and the side members It and II. A very effective stop means is that shown, comprising transverse rods or members 25 extending between similar le members of each pair and under the side members l0 and II so that when in the extended position of Figs. 1 and 2 the side members l0 and II will rest on top of the transverse stop members 25. This makes a very rigid construction which will retain its position in use, and the stop members help to retain the leg members and the side members of the frame in proper spaced relation and brace them laterally. It will of course be understood that the cross members may be secured to the leg members by g1u ing, pins, screws or similar devices. It is preferred that the pivotal connections and the stop members be so positioned that when in the reclining or extenied position one end of the hammock l8 will be held higher than the other end, as' shown in Fig. 2, in which the lefthand end i shown somewhat higher than the right-hand end, and the left-hand or higher end would ordinarily be used as the head end. If desired, a pillow 26 may be secured on the top of the hammock member at this end by any suitable means such as spring clamps or bands 21 connected to the pillow and adapted to spring around the end member l2.

It is also preferred to provide an adjustable sunshade at the head end of the device. A very effective construction is that shown, comprising end supports 28 connected by a flexible fabric, such as canvas 29. The end supports 28 are preferably composed of two members 30 with the ends of the flexible member 29 inserted between them and secured by' transverse screws 3| which also clamp the members 30 against this fabric. The ends of the members 30 are recessed at 32 to embrace the roller l2, and may be clamped against this roller by a transverse screw 33 and wing nut 34. B adjusting this nut the supports 28 may be loosened and adjusted to the desired position and then clamped therein by setting up the wing nuts, or if desired the wing nuts may be so adjusted that the supports will be held in adjusted position by friction on the roller, but can be shifted by the operator if de sired; Each end member 28 is individually adjustable and therefore the shade may be adjusted at different angles transversely and with one end higher than the other to give best protection under various conditions.

In carrying or storing when not in use the device may be folded to a very compact condition, as shown in Fig. 3. To do this, all that is necessary is to grip the two end members I! and I3 and swing them upwardly and toward each other. The shade 29 may be folded either down onto the canvas of flexible hammock member l8 and thus lie between the folds of this member,

or it could be swung over to the outside as demerely folds together and lies within the two framemembers.

It will thus be seen that this makes a very simple construction of hammock which is entirely self-contained and does not require the mounting of hooks or other supports on trees, posts or the like, 'but is readily portable and can be placed on the lawn, beach, or any other desirable location as desired, and may be readily shifted for greater comfort, as conditions change. It may be quickly set up from the folded position shown in Fig. 3 by merely swinging the upper ends of the frame members outward y and downwardly, and after use may be as readily again folded by swinging these upper ends in the opposite direction. When so folded it makes a very compact arrangement of relatively short length so that it may be readily placed in a car for carrying to the beach or out into the country for outings and the like, and when folded may be readily stored, and requires very little sp ce. Also when so folded it is very easily carried.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention what I claim is:

1. A portable hammock comprising a pair of substantially rectangular frames pivoted together at their inner ends and of substantially the same length, a pair of upwardly and inwardly inclined leg members at each side of the frames pivoted together at their upper ends and each leg member being'pivoted intermediate its length to a 'sidemember of a frame outwardly of the connections to the leg members being much longer than the inner end portions at the opposite sides of these pivots, a fle'xible hammock member extending between the outer end members of the frames, and stop means to limit the downward movement of the outer ends of the frames and determine their positions independently of the flexible member and so arranged that the hammock member is supported in a substantially horizontal position.

2. A portable'hammock comprising two pairs of laterally spaced side members of substantially the same length and with the members of each pair pivoted together at their inner ends and outwardly and upwardly inclined in opposite directions from said pivot, transverse members connecting the outer ends of similar side members, a flexible hammock member extending between and connected to the transverse members. one of said transverse members being mounted for turning movements to wind and unwind the flexible member to adjust the free length of this member, means to secure the transverse member in adjusted positions, an upwardly and inwardly inclined leg member pivoted intermediate its length to each side member outwardly of the pivot between the side members, the outer end portions of the side members located outwardly of their pivotal connections to the leg members being much longer than the inner end portions at the opposite side of these pivots, a pivotal connection between the upper ends' of each pair of leg members pivoted to the side members of each pair, and stop means to limit downward movement of the transverse members and determine their lower positions independently of the flex-' ible member.

' CLARENCE F. BENJAMIN. 

